Biz Bits: Protect yourself from PC-related injuries

Thursday

Aug 27, 2009 at 12:01 AMAug 27, 2009 at 3:09 AM

Weekly business rail, with tips on avoiding computer injuries, BBB advice on estate plans and more.

Tip of the Week

More time indoors and with kids busy at school, fall likely means you'll be putting in more hours at the office in front of a desktop, and your kids will deal with mountains of homework by firing up their laptops. That extra computer time could add up to some painful injuries for computer users of all ages, experts say. Long periods of working at a computer - especially if your hands, wrists, arms and back are not properly positioned - can cause injuries that range from carpal tunnel syndrome to tailbone discomfort and even loss of vision. If you can't cut back on computer time, how can you avoid computer-related injuries? Prevention is the key, says Aurelia Koby, president of Imak Corp. and an expert on ergonomically designed computer accessories. "It's important to achieve and sustain an ergonomic, body-friendly position whenever you use a computer," Koby says. "Computer users who find themselves stuck in front of the screen for long hours should also practice simple exercises to help relieve the stress placed on their bodies by repetitive motion and prolonged sitting." Here are some simple ways to practice healthy computer use:

- Sit up straight
- Make sure your wrists are positioned properly
- Be sure to take regular breaks
- To minimize eye strain, frequently look away from the screen and focus on faraway objects

-- ARA

BBB Watch

Estate planning isn't only for the wealthy, nor is it a topic people enjoy thinking about. However, the Better Business Bureau advises consumers that if they own something of value they would like to pass on to family or loved ones at their death, they should create an estate plan.

A will is one component of estate planning that indicates the distribution of your assets and who will receive them. Without a will, state laws and probate court may determine how your estate is distributed. According to a survey by FindLaw.com, 58 percent of American adults have not written a will. This gives them little control or input into issues such as what will happen to their assets and any minor children after they die.

Some of the main reasons for why they didn't have a will included not wanting to think about dying, not knowing where to start or who to talk to about setting up an estate plan and not believing they had enough assets to need one.

"Those who don't have a will are leaving it up to the state to decide where their money and children should go if they should pass away," said Steve J. Bernas of the Better Business Bureau. "While no one enjoys thinking about their death, it's important to create an estate plan so that assets go to the people you want and your children are taken care of."

An estate plan can be as simple as drafting a will or as complex as setting up a trust and a living will. For detailed advice on creating an estate plan, visit www.bbb.org.

The List

According to Forbes.com, here are the best business schools in the United States:

7.2: Percent that home resales were up in July, the biggest monthly jump in almost 10 years.

Tech Talk

Want to know where Twitter messages are coming from? You’ll soon be able to, as Twitter co-founder Biz Stone recently announced on the site that they are adding tracking. "We're gearing up to launch a new feature which makes Twitter truly location-aware," Stone said. "A new API (application programming interface) will allow developers to add latitude and longitude to any tweet."

GateHouse News Service

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